Michigan’s coaching search is underway, with Jim Harbaugh reportedly going back to the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel was quick to share the early names for the Michigan search on Wednesday night. As one might expect, Sherrone Moore is considered the favorite to replace Harbaugh.

Moore, 37, has served on the Michigan staff since 2018. He served as tight ends coach for three seasons before becoming the offensive line coach with co-offensive coordinator responsibilities for the 2021 and ’22 seasons. In 2023, Moore was the team’s sole OC while maintaining OL coaching responsibilities.

North Carolina sports betting is coming soon. Get ready for the big launch by visiting our partners with all the latest!

To many, Moore has already proven he is ready for the job. He is officially 1-0 as an interim head coach for leading the Wolverines to a 31-6 victory over Bowling Green while Harbaugh served a suspension self-imposed by Michigan for alleged NCAA recruiting violations.

Though they don’t show up on his record, Moore’s resume is highlighted by the three other games in which he served as acting head coach. Moore was acting the head coach for Michigan’s final three regular-season contests as Harbaugh was banned from the sidelines by the Big Ten as part of the sign-stealing scandal.

Moore served as head coach for Michigan’s games against then-No. 10 Penn State, Maryland and then-No. 2 Ohio State. The Penn State and Maryland games were road contests.

Thamel included Kansas’ Lance Leipold, Kansas State’s Chris Klieman and Wake Forest’s Dave Clawson as other names if the search extends beyond Moore. Thamel also noted that Michigan looked at Nebraska’s Matt Rhule and Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell when Harbaugh previously showed NFL interest.